Reflections of My Life

This morning it was very foggy when I got up. Now it has lifted a bit. Still quiet inside and out. The smokers get up first and get outside first thing. Then as a group of them gather at the picnic tables it gets noisier. I have a feeling that when the new manager starts working here (right now they are training her) the smoking might end. Butts all over the place even though there is a receptacle for them.

There are signs all over this property saying it is a smoke free community and there is no smoking on the grounds or inside. Because our last manager was a smoker herself she set up a smoking area right outside the ramp and next to the building. I liked her but I did not like her doing that. She went out there numerous times while here to smoke. I had to smell that horrific smoke odor whenever I went outside. Plus had to keep my windows closed as soon as they were out there.

Going to get started on some chores on my list right now before the day gets away from me.
 

Taking a break. I am following "little steps" to break down the big job of cleaning the refrigerator. Starting from the bottom going up. I used to take everything out of it and start cleaning. Now I do one part at a time. Just move the food to another shelf on top of things if need be. Clean a bit. Sit down. Clean a bit. Sit down. I can do this. Probably better than an aide would have done. Just did the shelf above the drawers.

I wasn't sure how I would do on the bottom part because squatting down with these knees is just horrible. Yes, it hurt but I did it quickly and scrubbed it so that it would be perfectly clean. It is. I am proud of myself for doing this even though it is just a trivial job in the life of a housewife. Which is what I was for most of my life.
 
katlupe said:
Taking a break. I am following "little steps" to break down the big job of cleaning the refrigerator. Starting from the bottom going up. I used to take everything out of it and start cleaning. Now I do one part at a time. Just move the food to another shelf on top of things if need be. Clean a bit. Sit down. Clean a bit. Sit down. I can do this. Probably better than an aide would have done. Just did the shelf above the drawers.

I wasn't sure how I would do on the bottom part because squatting down with these knees is just horrible. Yes, it hurt but I did it quickly and scrubbed it so that it would be perfectly clean. It is. I am proud of myself for doing this even though it is just a trivial job in the life of a housewife. Which is what I was for most of my life.
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kat,

I use inexpensive plastic dishpans from the $tore to hold various related items in the fridge.

It makes life easier for me to pull out the dishpan containing related salad fixings or sandwich fixings, a dishpan for meats, single serving drinks and things.

Those inexpensive white plastic dishpans have helped me to organize items in the pantry, cleaning products, etc…

When they clean out my apartment they will probably be scratching their heads wondering why in the world I had a dozen white plastic dishpans. 😉🤭😂
 

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katlupe said:
This morning it was very foggy when I got up. Now it has lifted a bit. Still quiet inside and out. The smokers get up first and get outside first thing. Then as a group of them gather at the picnic tables it gets noisier. I have a feeling that when the new manager starts working here (right now they are training her) the smoking might end. Butts all over the place even though there is a receptacle for them.

There are signs all over this property saying it is a smoke free community and there is no smoking on the grounds or inside. Because our last manager was a smoker herself she set up a smoking area right outside the ramp and next to the building. I liked her but I did not like her doing that. She went out there numerous times while here to smoke. I had to smell that horrific smoke odor whenever I went outside. Plus had to keep my windows closed as soon as they were out there.

Going to get started on some chores on my list right now before the day gets away from me.
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I understand your concern about people smoking, especially when it's a no smoking community. I am the same. I hope your new manager puts a stop to it. But where would they smoke then?
 
palides2021 said:
I understand your concern about people smoking, especially when it's a no smoking community. I am the same. I hope your new manager puts a stop to it. But where would they smoke then?
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Previous management said they could not smoke on the grounds or inside their apartments either. So they went to the parks, smoked by the city ramp which is just the other side of our parking lot and some smoked out front on the sidewalk. When it was cold it was a problem but they used to enforce that rule so they did what they had to do. Now a lot of smokers are smoking pot out there too but don't know if they can do that in public spaces or not. I am not up on that law.
 
Aunt Bea said:
kat,

I use inexpensive plastic dishpans from the $tore to hold various related items in the fridge.

It makes life easier for me to pull out the dishpan containing related salad fixings or sandwich fixings, a dishpan for meats, single serving drinks and things.

Those inexpensive white plastic dishpans have helped me to organize items in the pantry, cleaning products, etc…

When they clean out my apartment they will probably be scratching their heads wondering why in the world I had a dozen white plastic dishpans. 😉🤭😂
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I have plastic bins in the freezer where I store meats mostly. It does make it easier and I like to organize things, even food.
 
I keep telling myself, "I can get through this hour, this day, this week, this chore, this whatever." In the hot weather, my knees are swollen and hurt more than usual when I walk or stand. So what can I do? Just trudge my way through it. Yesterday I was able to do a chore that I kept putting off because I told myself I could not do it. I would wait till I get an aide to help me. When they rejected me for an aide, I think they did me a big favor. Because now I have to rely on myself. Keeping my independence And freedom.

The thing to do is when you have something that you need to do but feel like you cannot do it due to pain, no energy or just plain laziness......take a break from worrying about it. Then make a plan and write it down in steps. Yes, for just one simple chore. For me that is the key since I cannot stand longer than 5 minutes at a time. Sometimes even 4 minutes is too long. Even if it takes the whole week to do that one chore. Eventually you will get it done. Feels good once you have it all finished.
 
katlupe said:
The thing to do is when you have something that you need to do but feel like you cannot do it due to pain, no energy or just plain laziness......take a break from worrying about it. Then make a plan and write it down in steps.
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Absolutely right. I can't simply brush my teeth anymore. I have to 'prepare' to brush my teeth, then sit down for a break before I continue. Standing in place is murder for me.
Kat, do you ever rest for twenty minutes with your knees raised above your heart? Also do you ever apply cold to your knees, like bags of frozen peas? Also, when sitting with your feet up, do you make sure the undersides of your knees are well supported?
 
Aunt Bea said:
kat,

I use inexpensive plastic dishpans from the $tore to hold various related items in the fridge.

It makes life easier for me to pull out the dishpan containing related salad fixings or sandwich fixings, a dishpan for meats, single serving drinks and things.

Those inexpensive white plastic dishpans have helped me to organize items in the pantry, cleaning products, etc…

When they clean out my apartment they will probably be scratching their heads wondering why in the world I had a dozen white plastic dishpans. 😉🤭😂
Click to expand...
same here with the plastic pans. I have several that I got from dollar tree.
 
gruntlabor said:
Absolutely right. I can't simply brush my teeth anymore. I have to 'prepare' to brush my teeth, then sit down for a break before I continue. Standing in place is murder for me.
Kat, do you ever rest for twenty minutes with your knees raised above your heart? Also do you ever apply cold to your knees, like bags of frozen peas? Also, when sitting with your feet up, do you make sure the undersides of your knees are well supported?
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I sit in the recliner with my feet on a foot stool. But I have never been able to recline it due to not being strong enough to use the handle on the side. I tried to recline it then climb into it but it almost tipped over! I used to put my feet up when I had a bed. Maybe after my bunny boy is gone I will get another bed, an adjustable one so the feet and head go up

My knees don't hurt once I get in the recliner for the night (which is where I sleep). When I am sitting down here at the computer they are fine. Once I get up though...........
 
Today I worked so hard in here. I put Rabbit in his cage and shut the door (which I never do). Then I picked up his whole area and vacuumed it and the rest of the apartment at the same time. Drenched the areas he had "accidents" on with vinegar & Dawn. Put newspapers under his runner and blankets. So if he has another "accident" it won't go through. It didn't go through the runner though but I still put newspapers under it. Rather be safe than sorry.

Sad that he is having a problem getting to the litter box. But I will overcome it. Right now he waiting for me to shut the computer down. When he hears the sound it makes when I shut down the external hard drive he wakes right up! :)
 
katlupe said:
I sit in the recliner with my feet on a foot stool. But I have never been able to recline it due to not being strong enough to use the handle on the side. I tried to recline it then climb into it but it almost tipped over! I used to put my feet up when I had a bed. Maybe after my bunny boy is gone I will get another bed, an adjustable one so the feet and head go up

My knees don't hurt once I get in the recliner for the night (which is where I sleep). When I am sitting down here at the computer they are fine. Once I get up though...........
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Me too, most nothing ever hurts much when I'm in a relaxed position. But spending a lot of time sitting with your feet down plays havoc with edema and inflammation.
Maybe it would help to pay attention to and adjust the amount of time per day you spend 1. standing in place, 2. walking, 3. seated with your feet down, 4. seated with your feet up --and not give too much time to any of them. And lots of breaks between. And use your arms or other support to help you get up and sit down.
Your feet (and knees) are NEVER AT THE LEVEL OF YOUR HEART. I think you might need a bed with a riser under your feet, or at least to lie flat.
 
Today I am going to order Rabbit's greens and bananas from Price Chopper instead of Walmart. Walmart's spring mix is always packed with spinach and beet leaves. Two things I have to remove and is a waste of money. So going to experiment with PC. They actually sell greens that are not packed in containers. I miss the "old fashion way" of buying produce in the grocery store. Putting fresh items in the little brown bags. It was better back then. Now a third of it is no good and turning mushy, slimy and brown in the plastic containers.

I have a couple other chores that need to be done so will get something out of the way today. Doing my walking around the hallway unless I have to go out to the dumpster. If I walk out there then I walk back and forth out in front of our building. That way I am not too faraway if I get overheated. And walking in the hallway makes it so I can do it several times a day. Trying for 3 times twice around the hall. Even though it is very hot out there also. I can endure it (I think) for a little bit at a time.
 
It’s good that you are walking as much as possible. The hallway sounds like a good option. We have a long hallway here that I’ll use this winter.
I am walking again outside using my cane. I have increased my steps to 1300 from 800 last week. Walking is one of those things we sometimes need to force ourselves to do. It’s a great exercise for most of us.
 
Pappy said:
It’s good that you are walking as much as possible. The hallway sounds like a good option. We have a long hallway here that I’ll use this winter.
I am walking again outside using my cane. I have increased my steps to 1300 from 800 last week. Walking is one of those things we sometimes need to force ourselves to do. It’s a great exercise for most of us.
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Yeah, I have to force myself to do it too. Even if I walk outside, I really should walk the hallway too. I walk faster and count my laps in the hallway. Outside I am slower due to other people and the weather. I just did two laps and that is after I did a lot of kitchen work where I had to stand for a bit.
 
I had to get off my computer quickly yesterday due to a thunderstorm coming in. It was not that bad but I had already unplugged all my electronics. So no watching videos last night! Instead did some figuring on my budget. No talking on the phone to Sonny. He had called me earlier when he got done at the fair and he was having thunderstorms too.

So Rabbit and I went to sleep earlier than usual. Did not get up earlier though. For some reason I slept even longer. Must be I needed it. I did get some harder chores done yesterday. Cleaning the NuWave oven. It has to be taken apart to be cleaned and it gets greasy due to cooking meats in it. A yucky job but I love when it is done.

Today I have to walk outside to the dumpster so will see if I can walk farther. Sometimes I like to sit in the sun but not lately. Too hot for this old lady! I never have any time to not do anything unless I am doing something while I am doing nothing. Does that make sense? Like waiting for my laundry to get done in the laundry room. I used to leave it and come back upstairs till it was done. No more. We have so many people coming in our building that are questionable that I don't dare.
 
Today I am tired before the morning over. Taking care of an aging rabbit is not a job for an aging woman. But........I will do it. So I had to put him in his cage and shut the door. The 2nd time in the last couple of days. It gives me the opportunity to move things around without him being in the way. I did it the best I could and opened his door but he has not come out of the cage yet.

It is funny (well not so funny) that all the ramps I see in DIY posts or for sale are all for rabbits and other pets who can walk up a steep ramp. Aging bunnies cannot walk up the ramp to begin with. Plus he only needs one about 4" high and the ones I saw are several feet high. So I am back to putting a bunch of old clothes in a pillow case to make a step into the cage. He is out now and explored all the new stuff. Stretched out to go to sleep between the dressers (his safe spot).

Well, I planned on doing laundry but as of this minute I need to rest my knees, legs & feet. Drink some electrolytes. Maybe eat something. Then I will see if I feel like doing laundry later. Not going to overdo myself. Especially in this hot weather.
 
katlupe said:
Today I am tired before the morning over. Taking care of an aging rabbit is not a job for an aging woman. But........I will do it. So I had to put him in his cage and shut the door. The 2nd time in the last couple of days. It gives me the opportunity to move things around without him being in the way. I did it the best I could and opened his door but he has not come out of the cage yet.

It is funny (well not so funny) that all the ramps I see in DIY posts or for sale are all for rabbits and other pets who can walk up a steep ramp. Aging bunnies cannot walk up the ramp to begin with. Plus he only needs one about 4" high and the ones I saw are several feet high. So I am back to putting a bunch of old clothes in a pillow case to make a step into the cage. He is out now and explored all the new stuff. Stretched out to go to sleep between the dressers (his safe spot).

Well, I planned on doing laundry but as of this minute I need to rest my knees, legs & feet. Drink some electrolytes. Maybe eat something. Then I will see if I feel like doing laundry later. Not going to overdo myself. Especially in this hot weather.
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I wonder if you could make him one.
 
I noticed a few days ago that my eyes were burning slightly like when I am around smoke. Then yesterday on fakebook there was a post from DEC telling about the air quality. With a warning not to go outside if you have respiratory issues. Smoke from the Canadian wild fires. I kept waking up to fog in the morning and maybe it wasn't fog. I know you shouldn't use your air conditioner if that is an issue. Being so hot out there is no way I cannot run my air conditioner. So I will put up with it.

Need to do a grocery delivery again today. For my son and I need a few things. After that I will see.
 
Yesterday I managed to put a dent in my laundry. Now I only have bedding and towels to do. Probably 2 loads. Can't do it today because I have a foot doctor appointment. Sonny is coming to take me since I cannot walk even that short distance in this heat. And my ability to walk presently is not very good. Knees, legs & feet. Swelling and arthritis. Tomorrow I have a hair appointment and it is not as far as the foot doctor so hopefully I will be able to make that one. I hate to cancel it.

If I go to the store after my appointment, I want to get some cold cuts and cheese so I don't have to cook every meal. Going to make some salmon salad and a bunch of hard boiled eggs. Cold food and salads. Keto Chow shakes for ice cream. I have none in the freezer right now. Otherwise I will have to order groceries on Saturday.
 

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